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Camp Drafty was an old hunting camp that was put together
after the second world war with alot of sweat, tar, and just about anything they could
find. My grandfather and his brother began the yearly Wensel deer camp tradition at
this humble abode. For several years as a young lad, I sat and listened to the many
tales of the great outdoors and dreamed of the day I too could join in on the fun. I
couldn't go to camp until the age of twelve and when that day came, it was better than
Christmas.
Camp drafty eventually couldn't withstand the harsh winters and had to be torn down.
However, my father has since purchased a new place and gave it the same name.
So Camp Drafty lives on and we now have a place to carry on the tradition for me,
my son, and hopefully his for years to come. |
| For many years, however, everyone hunted relatively close to
camp, and had little success. Once I began to hunt. Me and my dad began to
explore a bit farther into the woods. It proved to be a very wise decision.
Our success was beginning to get quite reliable. We knew that every year someone
would get at least one deer if not many. When we decided to give up on the Brockway
area, because of the longer drive from the new camp drafty, our success stayed the
same. The new camp was in prime country for whitetails and the camp was nestled
right in the middle of a natural funnel between valleys with tons of food and cover.
Perfect. Enough of me running on and on. Here are some shots of both
areas. The New Camp Drafty
Before Renovation
Where did all this water come from?
I know you and Maria like to fish but this is a bit rediculous? |
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This little guy was hiding out along the
edge of the road during spring gobbler season. We were on our way back to camp when
we glanced over and saw him, or her, hiding under a pine. So we took a quick photo
and got out of there. I am sure momma was near and was a bit nervous. |
The geese were seen during the same spring gobbler
season walking across the road in front of the truck. We snapped a photo as they
were making their get away.
As for the squirrel, well there are plenty of those around.
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The bear were seen one morning while having
coffee on the back porch of the camp. If you look close you can see the mother in
the center of the photo and one of her cubs trailing behind in the sunlight at the left
side of the photo. |
Whitetail deer are plentiful in northwestern Pa and
seeing them is a common occurance. |
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During archery season this past year, I was
delighted to see this eight foot pine tree with half inch branches snapped off at the
bottom. This was behind the camp about 100 yards. I wish I would have seen the
big boy that did that damage!!
Maybe next year!! |
Here are a few shots of the Clarion River and a small stream that feeds
into Maple Creek near Clarington Pa. Their will be many more to follow some come
back often. The Clarion is a two minute drive down the mountain from Camp Drafty and
is an excellent source for big trout! As you can see, the area can easily become
addicting if you enjoy the outdoors. There is no shortage of wildlife and plenty of
things to keep you busy.
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Can't forget about these sly old birds.
They seem to be everywhere when you're not looking for them. But come turkey
season, they seem to vanish into thin air. Unless they sneak up behind you and catch
you with your guard down. Right Eb? |
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| Another nice shot of Maple Creek looking
upstream.
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This picture doesn't even begin to show the
size of this valley. At the bottom is an old rope bridge that crosses Maple Creek
which flows to the right of the image and eventually empties into the Clarion River down
stream. |
| What a view! This is near the original Camp
Drafty. There is alot of land to cover and plenty of deer. |
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This is at the top of the valley heading down into maple creek.
Go get'm Eb!
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